More than a dozen suspected drug dealers have been arrested following dawn raids in Plymouth.

Three raids were carried out simultaneously at 7am on Monday, with a number of warrants executed throughout the morning.

By noon 13 people had been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply class A drugs, after police raided 14 properties.

The operation involved dozens of officers from a number of teams including support from Bodmin-based firearms team, detective units from Charles Cross and Crownhill police stations as well as response officers. Neighbourhood teams were also drafted to carry out community reassurance following the arrests.

One of the arrests took place as a suspect attempted to board the Torpoint Ferry, heading into Cornwall.

Police had already attended a number of properties across the city in an attempt to trace the man.

On man was arrested trying to board the Torpoint Ferry (Image: Carl Eve)

When arrested he was found to be in possession of about £2,000 in cash. The money was seized along with the black Vauxhall Insignia he was driving.

At about 7am, acting under the directions of Plymouth-police’s Core Tasking Unit which has overseen the investigation, officers used a chainsaw to force entry into a property at Newcastle Gardens, Whitleigh before arresting a woman.

At the same time at a flat above a convenience store in Burns Avenue, Honicknowle, officers arrested a man on suspicion of conspiring to supply class A drugs.

It is understood he initially gave officers a false name before he was identified and arrested.

Police also arrested a man at a property in The Drive, Hartley, a man and a woman at a house in Grassendale Avenue in Weston Mill, a man and a woman at terraced house Cheltenham Place in Greenbank, a woman at George House in Millbay, a man at St Aubyn Avenue in Keyham, a man at Taunton Avenue in Whitleigh, a man at Lympne Avenue in Ernesettle and a man at Ipswich Close in Whitleigh.

Man being led from Burns Avenue address by police (Image: Carl Eve)

Another wanted man was found near Admiralty House in Mount Wise and arrested, bringing the total to 14 suspected conspirators.

In addition, officers found a safe at the Lympne Avenue property which was seized. It is understood officers discovered about £16,000 in cash inside.

A woman and man were arrested at Cheltenham Place address (Image: Carl Eve)

The Herald has been told the investigation came following the seizure of a large quantity of class A drugs – including heroin and crack cocaine – which was being transported into the city via a courier last year.

Inside the safe officers found large bundles of cash

The lengthy and detailed investigation is understood to have tracked back the suspected network of drug suppliers to a city in the north west of England.